Woodcliff Academy - HIB Policy

HIB Policy

HIB POLICY 5512.01.

Policy Statement

The Woodcliff Academy prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying (HIB). A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve academic standards. Harassment, intimidation or bullying is a conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and the school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment. Demonstration of appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying is expected of all faculty, Staff, and students of the Woodcliff Academy.

Harassment, intimidation or bullying is any type of gesture or any written, verbal, or physical act or any electronic communication (internet, cell phone, telephone, or wireless handheld device) that is motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic such as; race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity expression or disability. Such behavior is considered harassment, intimidation, or bullying whether it takes place on or off the school property at a school sponsored function or in a school vehicle. (6A:16-7.6) Harassment, intimidation or bullying may be an isolated incident or a pattern of harassment and bullying.

Bullying is conduct that meets the following criteria:

1. Substantially disrupts or interferes with orderly operation of the school or the rights of students
2. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning students or groups of students
3. Creates a hostile educational environment for students by interfering with student’s education
4. Creates a hostile educational environment for students by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to students

The Woodcliff Academy expects students to conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and capabilities with regard for the rights and welfare of other student, staff and faculty.

The Woodcliff Academy believes students needs to learn to accept responsibility and the consequences of their behavior. The Woodcliff Academy faculty and staff will work to prevent discipline problems and encourage students to develop self-discipline.

Since bystander support of harassment, intimidation or bullying can support these behaviors, the Woodcliff Academy prohibits both active and passive support of harassment or bullying. Students are encouraged to walk away from these acts when they see them, constructively attempt to stop the, or report them to the proper authority.

The Woodcliff Academy is required to develop procedures of appropriate consequences and remedial action for a student who commits an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Consequences and remedial action may range from positive behavior intervention up to and including suspension an explosion.

Consequences for a student who commits an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying will be unique to the individual incident. It will vary in method and severity according to the nature of the behavior, the developmental age of the student, and the student’s history of problem behavior. Remedial actions are designed to correct the problem behavior, prevent another occurrence of the behavior, and protect the victim of the act. (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7), (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1)

Factors for Determining Consequences

1. Age, developmental and maturity levels of the parties involved and their relationship to the school district
2. Degrees of harm
3. Surrounding circumstances
4. Nature and severity of the behavior(s)
5. Incidences of past or continuing patterns of behavior
6. Relationships between the parties involved
7. Context in which the alleged incidents occurred

Factors for Determining Remedial Measures

Personal

1. Life skill deficiencies
2. Social relationships
3. Strengths
4. Talents
5. Traits
6. Interests
7. Hobbies
8. Extra-curricular activities
9. Classroom participation
10. Academic performance
11. Relationship to other pupils in the school district

Environmental

1. School culture
2. School climate
3. Pupil-staff relationships and staff behavior toward the pupil
4. General staff management of classrooms or other educational environments
5. Staff ability to prevent and manage difficult or inflammatory situations
6. Social-emotional and behavioral supports
7. Social relationships
8. Community activities
9. Neighborhood situation
10. Family situation

Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for pupils who commit an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion. (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1), (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2), (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.3), (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.5)

Examples of Consequences

1. Admonishment
2. Temporary removal from the class
3. Loss of privileges
4. Referral to counselor
5. In school suspension
6. Out of school suspension
7. Legal action
8. Termination

Examples of Remedial Action

1. Adult (principal, counselor, and teacher) assists student to find a better way to solve the problem
2. Corrective instruction
3. Supportive discipline to increase accountability
4. Restitution
5. Goal sheet
6. Student counseling
7. Parent conferences
8. Student treatment/therapy
9. Change hallway movement
10. Modification of schedules
11. Monitors (school cameras and flip cameras)
12. Family counseling

Reporting Procedure

The Woodcliff Academy principal is responsible for receiving complaints alleging violations of this policy. All employees are required to report alleged violations to the principal. Reports may be made anonymously but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on an anonymous report. A school employee who promptly reports an incident of harassment or bullying in accordance with this policy, and who makes the report in compliance with the procedures set forth in this policy, is immune from cause of action for damages arising from any failure to remedy the reported incident. (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-16.c.)

Investigation Procedures

1. Verbal report to the principal/director must be made the same day the incident occurred.
2. Follow up written report, by person who gave the verbal report, must be made within 2 days of the incident.
3. The principal/director initiates the investigation within 1 school day of the report.
4. Investigation conducted by the anti-bullying specialist:

a. Complex process that could include several interviews including, students, staff and witnesses.
b. The principal/director is permitted to appoint other individuals to assist the ABS in these investigations.
c. The investigation must be completed ASAP but no later than 10 school days of the written report.

5. The law recognizes that the report may need to be amended after it has been completed, you do have the right to amend the report at a later date.
6. The report must be given to the principal/director within 2 days of completing the investigation.
7. The principal/director must decide on what actions to take.
8. Report of the incident must be presented at the next board meeting following the completion of the investigation.

Parents of the alleged bully and the alleged victim both have Due Process rights

1. Parents of either party, have the right to receive information about the investigation within 5 school days after the results of the investigation are reported to the board.
2. Parents of either party may request a hearing after receiving the report. That hearing must be provided within 10 days of the request. The meeting must be held in private to protect the confidentiality of the students. After hearing from the anti-bullying specialist and their recommendations for discipline and services the board must issue a decision to affirm, reject or modify the principals/directors decision.
3. The Board must issue a decision in writing at the next Board meeting following the receipt of the report.
4. Parents of either party may appeal the decision of the Board to the commissioner of Education within 90 days.

Parents of the alleged victim have additional rights:

1. If they believe that their child’s civil rights have been violated they can file a complaint with the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights within 180 days of the alleged incident.
2. File in Superior Court or Federal District court if they believe the bullying that occurred is based on a protected characteristic under state or federal law.

The Woodcliff Academy prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation will be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature, severity and circumstances of the act. The Woodcliff Academy prohibits any person from falsely accusing another person as a means of harassment, intimidation or bullying. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who is found to have falsely accused another will be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature, severity and circumstances of the act. Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for pupils who have falsely accused another as a means of harassment, intimidation or bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion. (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1), (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2), (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.3), (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.5)

Any Woodcliff Academy employee who fails to properly address or correctly respond to acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying may be subject to disciplinary action. These actions may include but are not limited to disciplinary memo, increment withholding, and or termination, depending on the facts and circumstances of the individual case.

Week of Respect Established

The law designates the week beginning the first Monday in October of each year as a “Week of Respect” in the New Jersey. The Woodcliff Academy is directed to observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing on preventing harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Throughout the school year, the Woodcliff Academy is expected to provide similar instruction in accordance with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.

Policy Publication

This policy will be disseminated annually to all school staff, pupils, parent(s) or legal guardian(s) along with a statement explaining the policy applies to all applicable acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying that occur on school property, at school sponsored functions or on the school bus. A link to The Woodcliff Bullying Policy can be found on our school website. The Woodcliff Academy will develop an annual process for discussing the school policy on harassment, intimidation, and bullying with students and staff. (N.J.A.C. 6A: 16-7.9(d)2) Information regarding The Woodcliff Academy’s harassment, intimidation, and bullying policy will be incorporated into the schools employee training program. (N.J.S.A. 18A; 37-17.(5)(c)) (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.9(d)1.i)

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights requires that training on harassment, intimidation, and bullying be part of the training required for public school staff members in suicide prevention. That instruction is required to include information on reducing the risk of suicide for students who are members of communities identified as having members at high risk for suicide.

The Woodcliff Academy teachers will be required to complete at least two hours of instruction on harassment, intimidation, or bullying prevention in each professional development period. Candidates for teacher certification will be required to complete programs on bullying.

The Woodcliff Academy is required to annually review its staff training program on bullying and harassment to access training needs and update as needed. (N.J.A.C. 6A: 16-7.1(a)3

Woodcliff Academy School Safety Team

The team will develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate by focusing on the on-going, systematic process and practices in the school and to address school climate issues such as harassment, intimidation, or bullying. The school safety team will meet at least two times per school year.

Members of The Woodcliff Academy School Safety Team:

Anti-Bullying Coordinator: Scott Corbett (732) 751-0240 ext.1
Anti-Bullying Specialist: Rebecca Grodzki (732) 751-0240 ext. 4
Teacher(s): Eric Kolber (732) 751-0240
*Parent: Mr. Dylla

*The parent on the school safety team is prohibited from receiving any information or participating in any activities that compromises the confidentiality of a student.

Date of Implementation: 9/1/11
Date of Revision: 10/24/11

The Woodcliff Academy

Menu:

HIB POLICY 5512.01.